Operational guidelines for rapid appraisal

Rapid appraisal is the first step (followed by applied research and pilot innovations) in A.I.D."s Agricultural Marketing Improvement Strategies Project, which aims to identify the dynamic elements - particularly the institutional, organizational, and management components - which move marketing systems to greater levels of specialization, efficiency, and effectiveness. Procedures for the appraisal are broken down into three phases: preparation, in-country information-gathering, and formulation of findings. Phase I is comprised of an initial visit to an A.I.D. Mission to conduct a rapid appraisal feasibility study, recruit a rapid appraisal team, and develop a preliminary study design. Phase II covers initial planning, mobilization for field work, collection and review of secondary data, field survey, and preparation of the first draft. During Phase III the report is edited by the rapid appraisal team, then reviewed with study sponsors, and finally submitted in final draft form to A.I.D./Washington.